After more than a decade of competing at the highest level of Major League Soccer, Maximiliano Urruti has embarked on a very different chapter of his career. The experienced Argentine forward has traded the North American football circuit for the fervent football culture of Kerala, arriving as one of Calicut FC’s marquee signings for the Super League Kerala campaign.
For Urruti, however, the move is about far more than a change of scenery. The Rosario-born striker has arrived in Malabar with a straightforward ambition – to compete for silverware and experience the unique atmosphere of Kerala football.
The prospect of playing in a region where Argentine football enjoys an enormous following was also an important factor in his decision.
“When I had the chance to move here to India to play, I looked at the ocean, I like to play here,” Urruti said in an exclusive interaction.
He was particularly struck by the affection for Argentine football and Lionel Messi among Kerala’s supporters.
“I know that people love Argentinian players, a lot of people are fans of Messi. When I see that, I say ok, I move to India to play in this league.”
Demaldé’s Role in Bringing Urruti to Calicut
The presence of fellow Argentine Ever Demaldé, Calicut FC’s head coach, proved equally significant.
Having already established a connection in Argentina, Demaldé gave Urruti a clear understanding of the club’s ambitions and the environment he would be joining. The coach’s vision, according to Urruti, made the decision considerably easier.
“We have a good coach. When I talk with him in Argentina, I understand the message, the situation for the club,” Urruti noted.
“He says come because you enjoy the stay here in India, you have good guys, we have a good group… This is a good opportunity to play with good players in this tournament.”
That sense of togetherness appears central to Urruti’s outlook. Rather than viewing his move to Kerala simply as another professional destination, he sees it as an opportunity to become part of a close-knit squad capable of competing for the biggest prize.
A Decade in MLS and the Messi Effect
Urruti arrived in MLS in 2013 and subsequently experienced the league’s evolution from within. Having represented clubs including Portland Timbers, FC Dallas, Montreal Impact, Houston Dynamo and Austin FC, the Argentine has witnessed the increasing popularity and competitiveness of football in the United States.
“When I arrived in MLS in 2013 and now, for me, it’s very high the level for the players, for the fans, everything,” he reflected.
Urruti believes the development has been driven by the professionalism of clubs and their willingness to invest in building stronger footballing structures.
“The clubs understand that if you work very hard, you have a good result. And you know, Messi moved to MLS. This is the most important thing for me.”
🚨 Exclusive: Maximiliano Urruti – ‘I want to win the Trophy. I know the Fans. So I know how important it is’
Maximiliano Urruti has scored a debut goal for Calicut FC in their Super League Kerala match against Thiruvananthapuram Kombans in this SLK 2026 season.
A few days… pic.twitter.com/U5GMpV02mx
— Mykhel Football (@Mykhel_football) September 26, 2026 ">
Trophies Matter More Than Personal Numbers
At this stage of his career, Urruti is not arriving in Kerala with a fixation on individual statistics. Despite the expectations surrounding a marquee forward, the Argentine insists that collective success matters considerably more than the number of goals next to his name. The transition to Kerala has also been relatively smooth. Despite the obvious differences in culture, climate and footballing environment, Urruti has settled into the Calicut dressing room and praised the character of his teammates. The humidity, meanwhile, is something he has had to adjust to, although he sees some familiarity with the conditions from his native Rosario. But when it comes to his objectives for the season, there is little ambiguity. "The most important thing for me is the trophy," Urruti declared. The forward is also acutely aware of the expectations surrounding Calicut FC, particularly with supporters expected to turn out in large numbers throughout the campaign. "Because I know the fans. We have a full stadium every game... We train very hard every day. We have a lot of chance to take a trophy because we stay all together." That message neatly captures Urruti's approach to his latest footballing adventure. The Argentine veteran has already experienced MLS, shared the pitch with Messi and built a career spanning two decades. Now, in the colours of Calicut FC, he wants something else - to experience the roar of Malabar and, ultimately, lift a trophy in front of it. And just to say so, his start with the Kozhikode-based club has been sublime, as he netted a goal in their 2-0 win in the first match week against Thiruvananthapuram Kombans.About the Author
